Good morning japan and Austaralia, Im currently holidaying in Japan for next 5 weeks and have started a seperate blog to post pictures. Please stop by here http://mysonyrx1.wordpress.com/ if you like. All pictures are taken on the new Sony RX1 loaded directly to Ipad then published on wordpress app.

At the eastern tip of Australia, lies the beautiful coastal town Bryon Bay. A tourist hot spot, and very popular with young back packers. People go there to enjoy activities such as; relaxation, surfing, whale watching, hiking, golfing, fishing, snorkeling, shopping, sight seeing, and relaxation. (yeah I know, I purposely repeated relaxation). I recommend sight seeing around Cape Byron Lighthouse and take a nice 30 min hike along the cliff side down to Watego’s Beach. You may spot some australian wild life on your way down or catch a glimpse of a migrating whale. the view is spectacular. For accommodation, stay at the “Byron at Byron resort and spa”. the food and facilities are excellent and there is a 45 acre rain forest and your only 20 mins by foot from the beach. The place is just so relaxing.

My chess set finally arrived in the post and I could’nt wait to open the box. So once I got the kids off to bed, I quietly took out the contents from the box, laid out the deluxe silver and bronze chess pieces on the 45 x45 cm board. Just to give you an idea of how tall the pieces are, the Knight stands at a height of 8.8 cm, and very nicely weighted. It is a very nice deluxe chess set. I placed the chess set on the dining table next to the night lamp and took out my Nikon D7000 and attached my Nikon 35mm F1.8 lens and took several shots hand held at F1.8 ISO 200. The lens and the Sony made image sensor combination just made it easy to take hand held pictures at such low light (gotta love Sony and Nikon). I’m very happy with my new deluxe Bronze and Silver chess set, it is built to last generations of battles.

The Campbelltown Steam and Machinery Museum is located 90 mins west of Sydney and 4 days out of a year it is open to the public. The museum is on a big property and houses a unique collection of vintage steam and internal combustion agricultural and industrial engines. It will open it’s doors again on 18th of May 2013 if your interested. A two-foot gauge industrial railway is also operated on the grounds and the kids love it, it takes you around for a 5 min ride around the property with it’s own mini station signs that say Menangle and Central. It was a nice day out and we all enjoyed it.Location: 86 Menangle Rd, Menangle, NSW Australia

An exciting development in the exploration of street art as the fastest growing art movement of our time, OPEN STREET ART is a free public exhibition staged in the vibrant grounds of Darling Quarter, Sydney’s newest cultural precinct. Comprising the installation of sixteen paintings by internationally renowned artists Anthony Lister (BRIS/NY), Beastman (SYD), Shannon Crees (SYD) and Hiroyasu Tsuri (MELB), the exhibition promotes the importance of public art in our enjoyment of shared space. OPEN STREET ART seek to redefine a somewhat controversial art form by demonstrating how it can enhance, and not interfere with, the ambience of our city.

Matsue’s Suitoro lantern festival is an annual event in September whereby the Castle, Castle moat and surroundings are illuminated and decorated with Lanterns. This is the only time you can get a chance to ride on a traditional boat for a tour around the castle moat at night. It is also a great time to take your partner out for a romantic walk.

Just thought I go for a walk pass Hyde Park on my lunch break for a change of scenery. Took a couple of snap shots of St Mary’s Cathedral (Sydney). St Mary’s is the largest church in Australia. Unfortunately there is a sign that says “No Photography” inside the church. I wish I was allowed to take some photos to show you what it looks like inside, because it is just amazing! anyway a couple snap shots for you…